LOS ANGELES–Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region is pleased to announce the launch of its 11th International Telethon campaign. The live fundraising program will air on television sets in all major Armenian-American communities in the U.S. and across the globe on November 27, 2008, 8am-8pm PST as well as on the internet at www.armeniafund.org.

On Friday, October 10, Armenia Fund’s long time supporters and donors gathered at the residence of Armen Khachatourian and Maria Mehranian to unveil the 2008 Telethon logo. The unveiling has become a tradition over the past years and marks the important launch date of the campaign. Present at the special dinner reception was the former president of Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Arkady Ghoukassian. The president currently serves on the international board of trustees of Armenia Fund.

Present at the event were all board member organizations of Armenia Fund: Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian Catholic Exharchate of America, the Armenian Democratic Liberal (Ramgavar) Party, the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Relief Society, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the Social Democratic Hunchakian Party, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Church.

Throughout the evening, attendees at the event got a first hand update on the progress of Armenia Fund’s projects, including the Hadrut Regional Hospital, Togh School and the Amaras highway ‘s all major projects of the U.S. Western Region affiliate of the Fund. Maria Mehranian, Chairperson of Armenia Fund, Inc. welcomed all guests and thanked them for their continuous financial and moral support. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Church of America convened the opening prayer and offered his blessings. Mardirossian highly commended the projects of Armenia Fund and its dedication to enhancing the lives of the Armenian people.

Sarkis Kotanjian, Executive Director and Public Relations Manager of the Fund’s Western U.S. affiliate, provided an extensive and detailed update on the progress of the major projects. Kotanjian also reminded everyone that Armenia Fund does not only focus on infrastructure and rural development, but continues to provide monetary assistance to the families and children affected from the war.

Edik Balaian, the artist of the 2008 Telethon logo offered his brief remarks regarding the concept of the logo and choice of colors. He mentioned that the colors of the logo are distinctly from the palette of legendary Armenian artist Minas Avetisyan.

Armenia Fund Honorary Member, Philanthropist Vahe Karapetian who has stood by Armenia Fund since its inception, introduced the former President. In his remarks Karapetian highly commended the recent projects of Armenia Fund and praised its interim management in Yerevan.

President Ghoukassian, Consul-General Armen Liloyan, along with the leadership of Armenia Fund unveiled the logo. It features an Armenian village house with a tricolor smoke rising from its chimney ‘s a sign that the house is not a mere structure but rather an Armenian family home. The slogan of the Telethon campaign is “My Home, Armenia”.

"Armenia Fund maintains continuity of its program. This year’s Telethon will include both infrastructure and economic development projects in the villages of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. We are also excited to see an unprecedented participation from Armenia. Despite the difficult global financial environment, we believe we are going to have great results for this year’s Telethon," said Mehranian.

Mehranian invited Very Rev. Baret Yeretsian, who was representing His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, to offer his blessings and closing remarks. Very Rev. Yeretsian commended the Fund’s continuous commitment to the development of Armenia and Karabakh.

The event also secured participation of 400 members of the community in the Armenia Fund Annual Gala. The Gala will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California. The event will welcome H.E. Bako Sahakyan, President of Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The evening’s keynote speaker will be the newly appointed Minister of Diaspora Affairs of Armenia, the Honorable Hran’sh Hakobyan.

In Southern California, the Telethon will once again air on KSCI Channel 18 for full 12 hours, 8:00AM-8:00PM PST. Around the world the Telethon will be featured on H1-Armenian Public Television (www.armtv.com). Los-Angeles based 24 hour Armenian Russian Television Network television (www.artn.tv) and Horizon Armenian TV (www.horizonarmeniantv.com) will also air the Telethon in its entirety, on its cable, satellite and internet networks.

Related posts

Discussion Policy

Comments are welcomed and encouraged. Though you are fully responsible for the content you post, comments that include profanity, personal attacks or other inappropriate material will not be permitted. Asbarez reserves the right to block users who violate any of our posting standards and policies.

Latest

Armenia’s Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wants answers from Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko who reportedly has shared details of a recent summit of the CSTO with a high-ranking diplomat from Azerbaijan

Most Popular

Armenia’s Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wants answers from Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko who reportedly has shared details of a recent summit of the CSTO with a high-ranking diplomat from Azerbaijan